Memphis, TN (November 2, 2014) — Memphis-based WISEACRE Brewing Company is sharing the love throughout the Mid-South by introducing its three year-round beers, along with a limited supply of specialty brews, into neighboring markets. Cans and kegs of WISEACRE’s Ananda India Pale Ale, Tarasque Saison, and Tiny Bomb American Pilsner, which was awarded a Bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in October, will be distributed in North Mississippi (Desoto County, Oxford, Tupelo, Starkville, Clarksdale) via Clark Beverage and in West Tennessee through Jackson, Tennessee-based Central Distributing. Both distributors will also supply these markets with WISEACRE’s seasonal and limited-edition beers as they are produced periodically throughout the year.

“Since Day One, we’ve had a better start to business than we could have ever imagined,” said WISEACRE’s brewmaster Davin Bartosch. “Whether it’s selling kegs to bars, cans at the retail level, or just across the bar in our Broad Avenue Tap Room, everything has exceeded expectations. The support of the Memphis community and the enthusiasm of WISEACRE fans made the expansion of equipment and staff possible earlier this year, and now they are enabling us to send beer into surrounding markets that have a great connection to Memphis already.”

Kellan Bartosch, Davin’s brother and business partner adds, “Memphis has a natural connection to our region from the history of the Delta Blues to the North Mississippi college student. That culture helps WISEACRE connect to the region as well. As we surveyed the beer and food scenes in Memphis’ surrounding communities, there were already a lot of folks who’d come all the way to our Tap Room to buy our beer and who were excited about getting our beer in their communities. It was just a matter of making sure that we could produce enough to supply those markets without jeopardizing our relationship with our loyal fans here at home. Those supporters, along with the unique tie WISEACRE has to the culture in Memphis, will always be the most important thing to us.”

In addition to expanding markets, WISEACRE will finally open up its doors for tours on to the public for weekly tours. Every Saturday at noon, starting on November 15th; the WISEACRE staff will give up to 40 guests a behind-the-scenes look at how WISEACRE brews its award-winning beer. Reservations can be made at wiseacrebrew.com. Additionally, starting November 13th, WISEACRE’s taproom has expanded hours, staying open until 9PM Thursday through Saturday.

WISEACRE opened in August of 2013 after the brothers gained experience working in the brewing industry around the country. Their brewery and taproom are located at 2783 Broad Ave where they made 27 beers in year one ranging from German lagers, to hoppy American styles, complex and boozy Belgian beers, and barrel aging to boot. For more information visit www.wiseacrebrew.com.

Tennessee Brew Works held a tasting last week at Cash Saver’s Madison Growler & Bottle Shop, and I stopped by to meet co-founder Christian Spears and try out the brews.

All the beers I tried were really solid, but my favorites were Country Roots — the best sweet potato stout I’ve ever tasted — and Basil Ryeman — a smooth farmhouse ale brewed with Thai basil. The Cutaway IPA is also excellent.

Look for these beers on tap around Memphis soon and, of course, at Saturday’s sold-out Cooper Young beerfest, if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket.

The microbrewery, which just celebrated its first anniversary, has selected A.S. Barboro as its Memphis distribution partner and will start sending kegs of beer to Bluff City bars, restaurants and growler shops this week.

“This is a big moment for us,” said Tennessee Brew Works co-founder Christian Spears, who added the brewery was thrilled to expand west into Memphis. The beer has been available so far in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and other Middle and East Tennessee locations.

Spears said Southern Wit, which is available at the Tennessee Titans’ LP Field, has become the brewery’s best seller.

He described the brewery’s approach to making beer like that of a homebrewer, and “food is always in mind.”

“We want (the beer) to be unique and interesting … but we also try to make it approachable,” Spears said.

Tennessee Brew Works is planning sampling events at bars and restaurants over the next two weeks — most of them next week — as part of the brewery’s Memphis roll-out. Tennessee Brew Works will also serve its beer at the 5th annual Cooper-Young Regional Beerfest, coming up Oct. 11.

Riverbank Red was formerly called Copperhead Red and was the winner of the 2011 Great American Beer Festival silver medal in the Irish-Style Red Ale category — Ghost River’s first and only medal to date. The beer was originally brewed for the Memphis Redbirds.

The 1887 IPA is Ghost River’s third year-round beer, but it’s only available on draft. Ghost River has been bottling Golden Ale since 2011, when a bottling line was added as part of an expansion.

While it may be a few more weeks until Riverbank Red is widely distributed, the Midtown Cash Saver tweeted Friday that the beer was available at the store’s Madison Growler & Bottle Shop.